Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. See our User Agreement and Privacy Policy.

Slideshare uses cookies to improve functionality and performance, and to provide you with relevant advertising. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. See our Privacy Policy and User Agreement for details.

Things We Wish We'd Have On Hand!

This list is based on interviews with people who'd gone through an array of natural and man-made disasters, including extended power outages. Some items are common sense, but look around and see if you have them. Other items are things we take for granted until we don't have them.

Things We Wish We'd Have On Hand!

1.
SURVIVOR
ADVICE:
THINGS WE
WISH WE’D HAD
BEFORE THE
EMERGENCY

2.
AFTER READING NUMEROUS AFTER-ACTION
INTERVIEWS WITH PEOPLE WHO’D GONE
THROUGH AN EMERGENCY, I’VE PUT
TOGETHER THIS PRESENTATION SO WE
CAN BENEFIT FROM THEIR EXPERIENCES.
SOME ARE SIMPLE THINGS WE TAKE FOR
GRANTED IN DAY TO DAY LIVING.
SOME ARE THINGS WE DON’T THINK OF
UNTIL WE NEED THEM AND CAN’T GET
THEM.
Why?

3.
Minimum:
2 cases of water per person= $9
A basic first aid kit= $16
A crank radio= $25
Total cost= $50
hat Must You Have For Less Than $5

4.
Two Cases of water per person
Why? We can last only three days without water. 2 cases is
enough for a person for a six day supply (8 bottles per day).
It is the #1 priority being brought in after a disaster; have
it on hand beforehand.
WATER— the #1 Priority
Prices vary but should cost roughly $4.50.
Two cases= $9

5.
THERE IS WATER IN YOUR HOUSE THAT
YOU CAN USE THAT YOU DON’T THINK OF:
THE WATER HEATER
THE WATER PIPES
THE TOILET TANK (NOT THE BOWL)
WATER— the #1 Priority

6.
Water
The quickest and most effective
emergency preparation we can do is stock
water.
Stock a minimum of one case of 500ml
bottles per person (three days worth).
I recommended it be 2 cases.
Do it now!

7.
•You must have a way of quickly filtering water for
your family. There are numerous ones available.
Here is one I purchased. There is also a slightly more
expensive system that doesn’t require pumping and
works via gravity. Either one can be a lifesaver for
your family after a disaster.
Water

8.
•Assume all water you find is not fit to drink unless
purified. Giardia is very common, even in remote
locales.
•A way to purify water.
•I recommend two at least for your grab-n-go bag,
car, work, school: Lifestraw. Purifying tablets. Click
on images.
Water

11.
SoDis Water Disinfection
Solar Water Disinfection:
Find a clean, clear plastic bottle no more than
three liters (1 liter is slightly more than one
quart). It needs to be a PET bottle. You can tell
by looking on the bottom. Most will say if they
are PET or PETE. Otherwise it will have a
number. You want a #1. The narrower the
bottle, the better for solar penetration.

12.
SoDis Water Disinfection
Fill it three quarters full with clear water, or
water you have filtered through sand or
whatever you have available.
Shake the bottle in order to get as much
oxygen as possible into the water.
Fill the rest of the bottle and replace the lid.
Place the bottle in direct sunlight for six to
eight hours. You can increase the efficiency by
placing the bottle on a reflective surface such
as metal or aluminum foil.
If you have to move, hang the bottle on the
outside of your pack.

13.
SoDis Disinfection
How SoDis works?
The sunlight treats the water through three ways, all involve
radiation.
UVA reacts with the oxygen dissolved in the water to
produce a highly reactive form with free radicals and
hydrogen peroxide, which kills microorganisms.
UVA interferes with the reproductive cycle of bacteria by
crippling their DNA.
The sunlight heats the water and once it gets it above 122
degrees, the disinfection works three times faster.

14.
Water
Rules of thumb in nature in extreme
emergencies:
Running water is better than still water.
Water coming out of a spring is better
than running water.
Clear water is better than cloudy or
discolored water.
Avoid water with algae.
Avoid swamp or marshland water.

15.
Water Scavenging
In essence, a sealed water bottle has no
expiration.
Where can you find them?
Also, consider houses with high end
filtering systems— get the filters, connect,
let gravity push water through them.

17.
There are plenty of prepared ones you can buy.
Below is a very basic one.
Click on image for link.
First Aid Kit
$15.97

18.
Power outages often accompany emergencies and
disasters. Cell phone service and cable TV can be
disrupted. Even if you have cell phone coverage, you
might not be able to charge your phone. The device
below includes a cell phone/USB charger and flashlight.
. Click on image for link.
Portable battery/hand crank radio.
$24.99

19.
I pack several lighters from experience.
Windproof.
Stormproof matches in a waterproof container.
I’ve read interviews where people had candles
stockpiled but no lighters or matches to light
them!
Click on images below.
Lighters and Matches

20.
Being able to see in the dark is key. Batteries tend to be heavy
and get used up but AAA are light and small. Consider the
following array:
Handcrank light (the one below also has window breaker,
seatbelt cutter, USB cell phone charger); a headlamp for
moving and doing things in camp; and a single AAA light I keep
in a sheath with my Leatherman
Click on images.
Light

21.
Power will be out. ATMs won’t work
Store computer systems will have crashed.
It will be a cash environment for a while.
How much?
Enough for: plane, bus ticket to evac site; cost of hotel
room for at least 3 nights; cost of 3 tank full of gas; food
for family for two weeks; misc. expenses.
CASH

22.
You can’t count on the GPS on your phone.
Have a physical road map of at least your state in your
car.
Download the contour map for your area for free, then
print it out, or order the map sheets.
Click here for USGS free downloadable topo maps.
You can also order topo maps off Amazon in state sets.
Map

23.
Non-perishables for three days minimum.
Food that doesn’t require refrigeration.
Don’t have food that will make you thirsty.
Plan for infants and special dietary
requirements.
Note expiration dates.
Click on image for a good supply from the
company that made our Long Range
Patrol meals in Special Forces. It’s what
we have on hand and in our grab-n-go
bags.
Also good for camping.
FOOD

24.
I have a variety of ration bars (click on each for
link):
ER Bar
Grizzly Bear Emergency Food Rations
DaTrex 3600
Below are some before going into a ziplock bag
and into my Jeep.
FOOD

25.
FOODSomething to consider if you have time to
prepare is trail mix, or what we called GORP in
Special Forces. We were among the first to start
putting M&M into regular mix.
There are a number of varieties, but it's quick
energy.
However, the shelf life is limited.
There are many variations.
Having high protein bars is a quick source of
energy and doesn’t require cooking. Click on
images.

26.
Survivors of extended power outages say a pre-paid
calling card is a good idea to have on hand.
Extra batteries.
Ziploc bags.
Trash bags.
There are things around your house that can be used in
different ways—for example, solar powered walkway
lights can be used as flashlights at night.
More?

27.
I highly recommend getting at least one print copy of the
survival manual. During an emergency you can’t count
on an eBook. It’s pocket-sized— shown next to my
trusty, old Ranger Handbook. I keep one in the glove
compartment of each car, in every Grab-n-Go bag and
also give them as gifts— the gift of life. Click on image
for print version
Print
Book

28.
Apps are very useful; some can be life-saving.
Here are free apps for a variety of situations
that are useful and can save your life.
Some caveats on relying on Apps:
Your phone needs to be charged.
Your phone could be damaged in an
emergency situation.
You need to have your phone with you.
Some Apps require you be able to access a
network.
I have all these apps on my iPhone.

29.
Red Cross First Aid
(Apple) (Android)
Accidents happen. The official American Red Cross First Aid app puts
expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. Get the app and be
prepared for what life brings. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple
step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know first aid.
Features:
• Simple step-by-step instructions guide you through everyday first aid
scenarios.
• Fully integrated with 9-1-1 so you can call EMS from the app at any time.
• Videos and animations make learning first aid fun and easy.
• Safety tips for everything, from severe winter weather to hurricanes,
earthquakes and tornadoes help you prepare for emergencies.
Preloaded content means you have instant access to all safety information at
anytime, even without reception or an Internet connection.
• Easy to use Spanish language toggle.

30.
CPR and Choking
(Apple) (Android)
Developed as a public service by leading physicians and
educators in emergency care at the University of
Washington and King County EMS, the CPR & Choking
application provides instant information on how to
perform CPR and how to aid a choking victim. These are
short video demonstrations (about 1 minute) and are
compatible with the latest recommendations from the
major international resuscitation organizations including
the American Heart Association and the International
Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR).

31.
Family Locator-GPS Tracker for Android.
GPS Tracker for Android. Family Locator simplifies life in the
digital world by making it easy to stay connected to the people
who matter most. With Life360 you can:
Emergency Alert System for Apple.
Alert, track and notify loved ones as well as 911 in an
emergency situation. Silent Beacon provides you
with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that
you and your loved ones are able to instantly connect.
The emergency alert system for the digital age.

32.
Red Cross Hurricane App (Apple) (Android)
Be ready for severe weather with Hurricane by American Red
Cross. Monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm
track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others
know you are safe – a must have for anyone who lives in an
area where a hurricane may strike or has loved ones who do.
**One of the top 6 hurricane tracking apps - CNN**
**Readers’ Pick: Most innovative and useful hurricane app –
FastCompany**
**One of 5 apps to get you through a natural disaster – Fox
News**

35.
A better equipped first aid kit.
Click on image for link.
Make sure you have medications to last a week.
Extra glasses, contacts, etc.
First Aid Kit
$42.93

36.
I recommend adding some emergency quick-clot
bandages to your first aid kit. I keep these in the kits
and carry one on my bike. It’s been used and I can
verify it works.
QuikClot Bandages
$10.44

37.
I always have the one on the left on my belt along with
a single battery flashlight. It gets used every day.
I have the vice grips Leatherman on the right in my
Jeep and it gets used a lot.
A Leatherman

38.
Just preparing to the base level puts you ahead of 60%
of American households.
Links on the next slide can give you more information.
In Summation

39.
Print
Book
More free slideshares on survival, writing, history, trivia
and more topics are available by clicking on the image
below.

40.
The book on the left is how you prepare NOW.
The book on the right, is your guide to surviving an
emergency or catastrophe given you’ve prepared.
The handbook in the center is a discounted, distilled
version of both books with the most important basics
- click on cover for any.
Print
Book

41.
New York Times bestselling author, graduate of West Point, former
Green Beret, and feeder of two yellow Labs, most famously Cool Gus.
He’s had over 75 books published, including the #1 bestselling series
Time Patrol, Area 51, Atlantis, and the Green Berets. Born in the
Bronx and having traveled the world he now lives peacefully with his
wife and labs. Sort of. Free books below available HERE
www.bobmayer.com